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Impact of the COVID-19-pandemic on thrombectomy services in Germany

Steffen Tiedt1,2, Felix J Bode3,4, Timo Uphaus5

  • 1Institute for Stroke and Dementia Research, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany.

Neurological Research and Practice
|November 30, 2020
PubMed

Insights

The COVID-19 pandemic did not significantly impact emergency workflows or patient outcomes for large-vessel occlusion (LVO) stroke treated with endovascular thrombectomy (ET) in Germany. Treatment efficacy and functional outcomes remained consistent compared to pre-pandemic periods.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Emergency Medicine
  • Public Health

Background:

  • The COVID-19 pandemic potentially disrupted established emergency workflows for large-vessel occlusion (LVO) stroke.
  • Optimizing patient outcomes in LVO stroke relies on efficient emergency care pathways.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To analyze workflow time intervals and functional outcomes for LVO patients undergoing endovascular thrombectomy (ET) during the COVID-19 pandemic in Germany.
  • To assess the impact of the pandemic on the efficiency and effectiveness of stroke care.

Main Methods:

  • A comparative study of LVO patients treated with ET between March 1st and May 31st, 2020, and the same period in 2019.
  • Analysis included workflow times, reperfusion rates, and functional outcomes across 12 German hospitals.
  • A total of 795 patients were included in the analysis.

Main Results:

  • The number of LVO patients treated with ET remained similar between 2020 and 2019.
  • Pre- and intrahospital workflow times were comparable, with a noted exception of longer door-to-groin times for interhospital transfer patients in 2020.
  • Reperfusion rates and functional outcomes at discharge were not significantly different between the two periods.

Conclusions:

  • Pre- and intrahospital workflows for LVO stroke patients treated with ET were not adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • The efficacy of endovascular thrombectomy and the functional outcomes for LVO patients remained stable during the pandemic.
  • This large cohort study from German centers indicates resilience in stroke care pathways during the pandemic.
Abstract

Keywords:
COVID-19Large vessel occlusionOutcomeStrokeThrombectomy

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